Priests receive payroll from Janet Napoles?

Janet Lim-Napoles giving a message to her daughter Jeane during her birthday. Screenshot from YouTube.

According to an August 16 report from ABS-CBN nightly news program Bandila, priests have joined the roster of those who are benefiting from Janet Lim-Napoles’ ill-gotten wealth.

On eluding arrest

On August 14, Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima together with the National Bureau of Investigation has issued a warrant of arrest through a Makati City judge for Janet Lim-Napoles and her brother, Reynald Lim, for illegally detaining Benhur Luy.

But by 2:30 PM of the day the warrant was issued, both Lims’ whereabouts are inconclusive and the manhunt started on Wednesday night. The Lims were allegedly tipped off by an informant or an insider who knew an arrest warrant was about to be released, ensuring their safe escape and eluding arrest by the NBI agents.

The citizen’s arrest order was published on August 15, Thursday, which means anyone who sees Janet Lim-Napoles or her brother may legally arrest and turn them over to the proper authorities. Photos of both Reynald and Janet were posted all over the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as one of the measures to prevent them from leaving the country. Janet Lim-Napoles is now considered a high-profile fugitive.

Lifestyle of the Suddenly Rich and Famous

Jeane Napoles, Janet’s youngest daughter, was scrutinized by the public when photos from her online blogs started circulating around social media sites. A few days after Janet’s name was involved in the pork barrel scam, Jeane took down her social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but failed (or refused) to get rid of a Tumblr blog, which was last updated in 2011.

Her “Tumblog” showed photos of herself with celebrities at stunning events, her trips to Paris and London, as well as her “OOTD” or “Outfit of the Day,” which is usually made up of high-end clothing brands like dresses from Herve Leger and Louis Vuitton, a clutch bag from Chanel, and sparkly heels from red-soled shoe god Christian Loubotin.

In her daughter’s defense, Jeane’s father retired Marine Major general Jaime Napoles said that the blog is a school project for a fashion appreciation class.

Jeane’s highschool friends recounted that she started living a glamorous and lavish lifestyle in 2005. All of a sudden, Jeanne would treat them to fancy dinners and coffee dates. Her friends say she is a very generous lady, but they also said they were not surprised when they heard of the Napoles’ involvement in the pork barrel scam.

Politicians and Clergymen

Apparently, members of the clergy are also receiving funds from Napoles’ company. One monsignor reportedly brings a statue of the Nazarene to the Napoles’ home to hear the prayers of the household.

It was reported that several legislators are receiving cuts from Janet Napoles’ profits by funneling pork barrel funds onto bogus non-government organizations. Now, several priests are being involved in the said scam, having gained favor and profit in Napoles’ illegal dealings.

This time, after the ABS-CBN exclusive, the Church’s dark said is once again uncovered after being involved in receiving monetary favors from Napoles.

The Church nor the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines have not yet issued a statement of response about the matter.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that the investigations on Janet Napoles’ anomalous negotiations with several government officials are now “full-blown,” since the department has chartered the Commission on Audit to collect data and verify the dealings through a special audit report.

With reports from ABS-CBN News, Rappler, and GMA News